Cakes and Pies 1995

Wayne Thiebaud painted these cakes and pies with oils, probably mixing them thickly and applying them in layers. I can imagine him starting with a simple sketch, then gradually building up the forms with paint, adjusting the colors and shapes until they felt just right. I sympathize with Thiebaud wanting to capture the way light hits these sugary surfaces, making them almost glow. Look at how he uses these strong shadows to create a sense of depth and make the treats look even more tantalizing! The brushstrokes are smooth, but you can still see the texture of the paint, giving the surfaces a luscious, tactile quality. And this three-tiered cake with the tiny bride and groom on top. I am so curious about what he was thinking when he made it, about celebrations, about love. There’s something about this image that reminds me of Giorgio Morandi, who painted the same bottles over and over, trying to capture what's permanent. It's like Thiebaud is asking himself, how can I make paintings that are about more than just surface appearances? How can I make them about the things that matter to me?